When God disciplines you, it’s because He loves you.

“My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights” Proverbs 3:11-12, NLT.

When God corrects us, He doesn’t whip or beat us. Nor does He correct us by putting sickness and disease on us. No loving parent would make their child sick just to teach them a lesson. God corrects us with His truth. His correction reveals our true heart motives and shows us His heart. His correction reveals our sin and shows us how He feels about it. Because God loves us and because we’re His children, He will not allow us to get away with things.

Sometimes we don’t see how our behavior, actions and words bring harm to others. We don’t see how what we’re doing is causing self-harm. We don’t see until God allows us to see. When He shows us our sin, many of us become like a sad puppy. It’s knowing that we’ve hurt and disappointed God that hurts us the most because we know He loves us so much. Then we’re faced with the decision of whether we will sit and sulk in our wrong or receive His love and forgiveness and move forward by His grace.

Understand God corrects all of His children and it only makes us better. It only produces “a peaceable fruit of righteousness” (see Hebrews 12:11). If you are experiencing correction from the Lord in any area, know that it’s only because He cares for you as His daughter. He loves you too much to let you stay the way you are and continue in your ways. Receive His correction. Receive His love and forgiveness. Then let Him help you get up and move forward.

Prayer: Yes, Lord. I thank you for loving me. Even though your correction doesn’t feel good, I know I need it. It only proves that you care. So I thank you for correcting me. Forgive me for how I’ve behaved and treated people. Forgive me for meditating on the wrong things. Forgive me for not obeying you. I receive your love and forgiveness. Help me to rise above all feelings of guilt and condemnation, and help me to move forward by your grace. In the name of Jesus, Amen.